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Amrit Sanchar (Gurmukhi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ "nectar ceremony"; also called Amrit Parchar, or Khande di Pahul ਖੰਡੇ ਦੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ) is one of the four Sikh Sanskaars. The Amrit Sanskar is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when he founded the
Khalsa Khalsa ( pa, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, , ) refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,Kha ...
in 1699. A Sikh who has been initiated into the ''
Khalsa Khalsa ( pa, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, , ) refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,Kha ...
'' ('pure'; the Sikh brotherhood) is considered to be ''Amritdhari'' (Baptised) () or ''Khalsa'' ('pure'). Those who undergo initiation are expected to dedicate themselves to '' Waheguru'' (Almighty God) and work toward the establishment of the Khalsa Raj.


History

Amrit Sanchar was initiated in 1699 when Gobind Singh established the order of the
Khalsa Khalsa ( pa, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, , ) refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,Kha ...
at
Anandpur Sahib Anandpur Sahib, sometimes referred to simply as Anandpur (lit. "city of bliss"), is a city in Rupnagar district (Ropar), on the edge of Shivalik Hills, in the Indian state of Punjab. Located near the Sutlej River, the city is one of the most sa ...
. The day is now celebrated as Vaisakhi. This tradition had come to replace the prior Sikh initiation ceremony, in which the initiate would drink water that the Guru or a masand (designated official representing the Guru) had dipped his foot in. Guru Gobind Singh addressed the congregation from the entryway of a tent pitched on a hill (now called Kesgarh Sahib). He drew his sword and asked for a volunteer who was willing to sacrifice his head. No one answered his first call, nor the second call, but on the third invitation, a man by the name of Daya Ram (later to be known as Daya Singh) came forward and offered his head to the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh took the volunteer inside the tent, and emerged shortly, with blood dripping from his sword. The Guru then demanded another head. One more volunteer came forward, and entered the tent with him. The Guru again emerged with blood on his sword. This happened three more times. Then the five volunteers came out of the tent unharmed. Everyone was very confused. These five men came to be known as the ''Panj Pyare'' (the "beloved five"). The five men, who would be initiated into the
Khalsa Khalsa ( pa, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, , ) refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,Kha ...
by receiving Amrit, included Daya Singh, Mukham Singh,
Sahib Singh Sahib Singh (Gurmukhi: ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿੰਘ) (16 February 1892 – 29 October 1977) was a Sikh academic who made a contribution to Sikh literature. He was a grammarian, author, scholar and theologian. He was born in a Hindu family to ...
, Dharam Singh, and
Himmat Singh Maharaja Himmat Singhji (2 September 1899 – 24 November 1960) was the last ruler of the princely state of Idar State. He was Maharaja of Idar from 1931 to 1948.List of Ruling Princes, Chiefs and Leading Personages by Rajputana (Agency) - 1938 ...
. From then onward, Sikh men were given the name ''
Singh Singh ( IPA: ) is a title, middle name or surname that means "lion" in various South Asian and Southeast Asian communities. Traditionally used by the Hindu Kshatriya community, it eventually became a common surname adopted by different communit ...
'' ("lion"), and the women ''
Kaur Kaur ( pa, ਕੌਰ (Gurmukhi), pa, کور (Shahmukhi) en, crown prince) (sometimes spelled as ''Kour''), is a surname or a part of a personal name primarily used by the Sikh and Hindu women of Punjab region. "Kaur" is also sometimes trans ...
'' ("princess").


Ceremony

According to the Irish-Sikh writer
Max Arthur Macauliffe Michael MacAuliffe, also known as Max Arthur Macauliffe (11 September 1838 − 15 March 1913) and Max Singh Metcalfe, was a senior British administrator, prolific scholar and author. MacAuliffe is renowned for his partial translation of Sikh sc ...
: Macauliffe, Max Arthur. ''The Sikh Religion'' 5. p. 94. :The Guru caused his five faithful Sikhs to stand up. He put pure water into an iron vessel and stirred it with a khanda or two edged sword. He then repeated over it the sacred verses which he appointed for the ceremony, namely, the Japji, the Jaap,
Guru Amar Das Guru Amar Das ( Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰ ਦਾਸ, pronunciation: ; 5 May 1479 – 1 September 1574), sometimes spelled as Guru Amardas, was the third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Sikh Guru on 26 March 1552 at age 73. Bef ...
's anand, and certain swaiyas or quatrains of his own composition. Rules of the ceremony include *Being conducted in any quiet and convenient place. In addition to the
Guru Granth Sahib The Guru Granth Sahib ( pa, ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ) is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and eternal Guru following the lineage of the ten human gurus of the rel ...
, the presence of six Sikhs is necessary: one ''
granthi A Granthi ( pa, ਗ੍ਰੰਥੀ, ) is a person, female or male, of the Sikh religion who is a ceremonial reader of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is the Holy Book in Sikhism, often read to worshipers at Sikh temples called a Gurdwara. The na ...
'' ("narrator"), who reads from the holy text, and five others, representing the original five beloved disciples (''pyare''), to administer the ceremony. *Taking a bath and washing of the hair prior to the ceremony is mandatory by those who are receiving the initiation and those who are administering. *Any Sikh who is mentally and physically sound (male or female) may administer the rites of initiation if they have received the rites and continue to adhere to the Sikh ''rehni'' ("way of life") and wear the Sikh articles of faith (i.e. the
Five Ks In Sikhism, the Five Ks ( pa, ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰ ) are five items that Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are: ''kesh'' (unshorn hair and beard since the Sikh decided to keep it), '' kangha'' ( ...
). *There is no minimum age requirement, though it is rare for younger children since the individual should be able to understand the implications of initiation. *The person to become ''Amritdhari'' must wear the five holy symbols (the
Five Ks In Sikhism, the Five Ks ( pa, ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰ ) are five items that Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are: ''kesh'' (unshorn hair and beard since the Sikh decided to keep it), '' kangha'' ( ...
): *#'' Kesh'' (unshorn hair) *#'' Kirpan'' ("sword", i.e. a small dagger worn on the person) *#'' Kachehra'' (prescribed boxer shorts) *#''
Kangha A ''kangha'' ( pa, ਕੰਘਾ/کنگھا) is a small wooden comb that Sikhs usually use twice a day. It is supposed to be kept with the hair at all times. Combs help to clean the hair, and are a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair remi ...
'' (comb tucked in the tied-up hair) *#'' Karha'' (steel bracelet) *He/she must not have on his/her person any jewellery, distinctive marks, or tokens associated with any other faith. He/she must not have his/her head bare or be wearing a cap. The head must be covered with a cloth. He/she must not be wearing any ornaments piercing through any part of the body. The persons to be Amritdhari must stand respectfully with hands folded facing the Guru Granth Sahib. *Anyone seeking re-initiation after having resiled from their previous vows may be assigned a penance by the five administering initiation before being re-admitted. *During the ceremony, one of the five ''pyare'' stands and explains the rules and obligations of the
Khalsa Panth Khalsa ( pa, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, , ) refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,Kha ...
. *Those receiving initiation have to give their assent as to whether they are willing to abide by the rules and obligations. *After their assent, one of the five ''pyare'' utters a prayer for the commencement of the preparation of the Amrit and a randomly selected passage (''hukam'', a "word of God") is taken from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The person being initiated must chant ''"Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh"'' (essentially meaning "Almighty Lord, the pure; Almighty Lord, the victorious"). The salutation is repeated and the holy water is sprinkled on their eyes and hair, five times. The remainder of the nectar is shared by all receiving the initiation, all drinking from the same bowl. After this, all those taking part in the ceremony recite the
Mool Mantra The Mūl Mantar ( pa, ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤਰ, ) is the opening verse of the Sikh scripture, the ''Guru Granth Sahib''. It consists of thirteen words in the Punjabi language, written in Gurmukhi script, and are the most widely known among the Si ...
and they are inducted into the
Khalsa Khalsa ( pa, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, , ) refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,Kha ...
.


References


External links


Amrit CeremonyAll About SikhsEliminating Doubt's before/after Take Amrit (Katha in Punjabi)
{{Religion topics Sikh practices Dasam Granth